NT FigureNew Testament

Gamaliel

Acts

When

c. AD 31· In the text

Placed by the story. The date is a rough guide. How the dates are worked out

Name meaning

"reward of God" · Hebrew

From the Hebrew Gamliel.

About

A Pharisee in the council in Jerusalem, a teacher of the law respected by all the people. When the council wanted to kill the apostles, Gamaliel stood up and had the men put outside for a little while. He recalled Theudas and Judas of Galilee, whose followers scattered after they died, and advised leaving the apostles alone. If their work was of men it would fail. If it was of God the council could not win and could find itself fighting against God. The council agreed, had the apostles beaten and let them go. Paul later said he was brought up in Jerusalem at the feet of Gamaliel.

Relationships

DisciplePaulSaid he was brought up in Jerusalem at the feet of Gamaliel

Key Scripture AppearancesKJV

Acts 5:34

Then stood there up one in the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, had in reputation among all the people, and commanded to put the apostles forth a little space;Acts 5:34, KJV

Acts 5:38

And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought:Acts 5:38, KJV

Acts 5:39

But if it be of God, ye can not overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.Acts 5:39, KJV

Acts 22:3

I am verily a man which am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, yet brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous toward God, as ye all are this day.Acts 22:3, KJV

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